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昔
昔 (readings: せき, しゃく, むかし; Japanese kanji) means “long ago / olden times”. It is a Grade 3 Kyōiku kanji, taught in year 3 of Japanese elementary school, and appears in words such as 昔話 (old tale).
What does 昔 mean?
| Kanji | 昔 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | long ago / olden times |
| Readings | せき, しゃく, むかし |
| Grade | Grade 3 (Medium) |
| Curriculum | Kyōiku kanji · Japanese elementary school |
How to read 昔
昔 is read せき or しゃく or むかし depending on the word.
Example words with 昔
| Example | 昔話 (old tale) |
|---|
Practice writing 昔 — free
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Updated: 2026-07-14